TERRACOTTA WARRIORS – Guardians of China’s First Emperor

Considered by many to be the Eighth wonder of the world- The Terracotta warriors and horses are the most significant archeological excavations of 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around 1.5 kilometer East of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum in Lintong, Xian, and Shaanxi province. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China. The Terracotta army was discovered by accident in 1974, when local farmers digging a well broke into a pit containing 6000 life-sized terracotta figures. Excavation in 1976 revealed two further pits both filled with terracotta warriors. On the eastern side of the tomb smaller pits have been found containing the bones of horses and smaller size terracotta figures of grooms. Since than, discoveries have continued to be made at the site and to date remains of nearly 8000 terracotta figures have been recovered.

The Terracotta warriors were made during the Qin dynasty of ancient China, a dynasty known for fighting. Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13, Qin Shi Huang had begun to work for his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had accompanied the emperor in his after life. Qin shi Huang is remembered for instigating the building of the Great Wall of China, and the fanatical fear of death ultimately gave us the legacy of the terracotta warriors. The warriors were intended to protect the emperor’s tomb and support him as he reigned over an empire in the afterlife.

The terracotta warriors are unique, according to historian Sima Qian, construction of this mausoleum began in 246bc and involved 700,000 workers. Not only are they life size and individually modeled in clay, but the detail of the figure is astounding. Qin Shi Huang specifically stated that no two soldiers were to be made alike. Not only can we observe the construction of the body armor of terracotta army, with even the heads of the rivets standing out, but the soles of the shoes of the kneeling warriors are modeled with fine tread pattern. The heads and hands of the warriors were made separately, and each head is reputed to be different and individual. The warriors vary in height, uniform and hair style in accordance with rank. The colored lacquer finish, individual facial features, actual weapons and armor from battle used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance.

The terracotta warriors provide a wealth of information for military historians, and their existence is a testimony to the power and wealth of Qin Shi Huang. The site was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as a world cultural heritage site.

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[Via http://asiantravelguide.wordpress.com]